KRS-One & Buckshot's new album "Survival Skills" dropped September 15 and I just copped it yesterday. I gotta say i was pretty pumped when I heard that KRS was dropping a new album, but I didnt know much about Buckshot. I'm not a big Black Moon fan but I'm sure anyone collaborating with KRS-One has got to be some kind of dope. Plus the lineup of guests was pretty star-studded. So without further ado I give you my first track by track review:
1. Survival Skills (feat. DJ Revolution) (Produced by Ill Mind)- The beat to this song is absolutley dope along with Ill Mind's scratching right off the bat. No intro, this album goes right into a chorus by DJ Revolution and then KRS-One is already spitting. Both rappers spit game in this opening track over some sick production. (DOPE)
2. Robot (Produced by Havoc of Mobb Deep)- This song is the single and a great follow up to the first track. The beat is dope, the rhymes are sick, and the chorus is pretty cool. (DOPE)
3. The Way I Live (feat. Mary J. Blige) (Produced by Black Milk)- I'm big fan of Black Milk's production so I was excited for this one. Mary J. Blige's singing is kind of annoying but KRS's verse is pretty sick. The beat puts this one just over the top. (DOPE)
4. Clean Up Crew (feat. Rock of Heltah Skeltah) (Produced by Ill Mind)- This song's beat follows up the rest and is pretty dope. I hadn't heard much Heltah Skeltah but Rock's verse isn't bad, his voice is pretty cool. KRS and Buckshot start alternating stanzas onthe second verse which I liked. Then Buckshot's verse is pretty good. (AIGHT)
5. Oh Really (feat. Talib Kweli) (Produced by Marco Polo)- This track starts off with some scratching and a chrous from Talib. The production is pretty basic, not bad but not exciting. KRS remains consistently dope on this one. Buckshot follows up KRS with some decent rhymes. Marco Polo's scratching is pretty impressive. I was disappointed that Talib didnt have a verse though. (AIGHT)
6. Connection (feat. Smiff N Wessun) (Produced by Moss)- This beat is pretty damn dope and Smiff N Wessun start off with a dope verse. KRS and Buckshot arent too shabby either. (DOPE)
7. Runnin Away (feat. Immortal Technique ) (Produced by Black Milk)- When I looked at this lineup I almost crapped. Tech's my current favorite rapper. The song isn't bad but i was disappointed with the overall quality of the rhymes, even Immortal Technique. Black Milk is good as always on the beat which adds a lot. (AIGHT)
8. Think of the Things (feat. K'Naan) (Produced by DJ Mentplus)- This is the social commentary on fatherhood and family. K'Naan's shines on his verse to start off but the chorus is just goofy. KRS prevents this track from being wack but it's damn close. (AIGHT)
9. One Shot (feat. Pharoahe Monch) (Produced by Nottz)- This beat isn't anything special but KRS's verse is nasty. The raps are all pretty good, but the chorus is a snooze. This song just didn't do it for me.
10. Amazin (feat. Sean Price & Loudmouf Choir) (Produced by Khrysis!)- This beat is pretty epic and KRS's verse is simply, well, amazing. Every rap is good and the beat sounds like something from Rocky IV. (DOPE)
11. Hear No Evil (Produced by Khrysis!)- Another Khrysis! beat, this song didn't feature any guests. This song is not a a dub, but it's not anything to get excited about. (WACK)
12. Murder 1 (feat. Bounty Killer) (Produced by Coptic)- This song features dancehall favorite Bounty Killer whose chorus is dope. All the raps are solid and the beat is cool. I love when Buckshot breaks into a Jamaican patois. (DOPE)
13. We Made It (feat. Slug) (Produced by Ill Mind)- Slug is one of my favorite MCs and Ill Mind has shined so far on this album. This track has a very Atmosphere-esque feel. KRS-One starts off with an excellent rap. Then to my pleasure, Slug puts down a dope verse. By the way, the beat is sick. (DOPE)
14. Past Present Future (feat. Melanie Fiona & Naledge) (Produced by 9th Wonder)- 9th Wonder didnt disappoint with this beat to finish off the album. The chrous is astonishngly cool and each rap is individually excellent. Great finish to the album, left me wanting more. (DOPE)
FINAL GRADE: A-
